Question

Which is true about the dissolving process in water?
Polar solutes do not dissolve easily in water.
Water molecules are attracted by solute ions at the surface of the solute.
Water molecules move throughout the solute.
Solute molecules pull water molecules away from the surface.

Answer 1

Correct answer: Water molecules are attracted by solute ions at the surface of the solute.

Explanation:
- Polar solutes generally dissolve easily in water (so statement 1 is false) because "like dissolves like" — water is polar and solvates polar/ionic species.
- Dissolution begins at the solute surface: water molecules are attracted to and orient around ions or polar molecules (hydration/solvation), helping pull them into solution (so statement 2 is true).
- Water does not "move throughout the solute" in the sense implied (statement 3 is false); instead solvent interacts at the surface and separates solute particles which then disperse into the solvent.
- Statement 4 is reversed: water (the solvent) pulls solute particles away from the solid surface, not the solute pulling water away.